Netgear AV 4250 Series: Elevating Pro AV Over IP with Seamless Configuration and Management

In professional audio-visual (AV) environments, reliability, low latency, and ease of setup are crucial. As the industry moves increasingly towards network-centric solutions, system designers and integrators require network switches that handle the rigors of real-time audio and video.

This is where the NetgearAV 4250 Series shines, offering flexible configurations, preset protocol profiles, and an intuitive Pro AV user interface. 

With the AV 4250 Series at the heart of an installation, AV professionals can integrate industry-leading brands like Tascam (for Dante-based workflows), Pan Acoustics (for PoE-driven loudspeakers) and Adamson (for high-performance AVB live sound) or JBL’s SRX900 series (system control and monitoring) and be confident that every signal is managed efficiently, reliably, and with minimal hassle. 

Unlike off-the-shelf enterprise or SMB switches, the NetgearAV 4250 Series is purpose-built for professional audio and video distribution. It prioritizes: 

  1. Ultra-Low Latency 
  2. Robust Multicast Handling 
  3. Advanced QoS (Quality of Service) 
  4. Easy Traffic Segmentation 
  5. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Capabilities 

These features ensure that demanding real-time audio and video signals—like those in concert venues, recording studios, broadcast stations, and corporate environments—flow smoothly across the network without dropouts or jitter. 

The AV 4250 Series is designed to adapt to a wide variety of installations, no matter the scale or complexity. 

  • Port Counts: From compact 8-port desktop versions to larger 24- or 48-port rack-mountable units, there’s a model to match your project scope—be it a small conference room or a multi-room facility. 
  • PoE/PoE++: Many models offer PoE+ or Ultra 90 PoE++ (up to 90 watts per port). This high-power PoE capability makes it ideal for powering Dante-enabled microphones (e.g., Tascam), PoE-powered speakers (e.g., Pan Acoustics), and even some display monitors. 
  • SFP+ Uplinks: For bigger projects requiring high bandwidth, select models include SFP+ slots offering 10 Gb uplinks, ensuring ample headroom to transmit large amounts of data simultaneously. 

This breadth of options means integrators can pick exactly the right switch for their environment—no overbuying or contorting a standard network switch to fit specialized Pro AV needs. 

A key highlight of the 4250 Series is its built-in preset profiles for popular AV over IP protocols. These profiles save hours of manual configuration and testing by auto-applying VLAN, QoS, and multicast settings tailored to specific protocols. Current profiles include: 

  1. Dante – Optimizes multicast handling and QoS for Audinate Dante traffic, widely used by Tascam and other audio manufacturers. 
  2. AES67 – Configures the switch for AES67-compliant audio, ensuring interoperability across various audio-over-IP platforms. 
  3. Q-SYS – Tunes VLAN and QoS parameters for QSC’s Q-SYS ecosystem. 
  4. AVB – Activates time-sensitive networking features vital for AVB workflows (key for Adamson’s large-scale live sound systems). 
  5. NDI – Sets multicast optimization and video prioritization for IP-based video production via NewTek’s NDI. 
  6. Crestron – Streamlines settings for Crestron NVX installations requiring 4K video-over-IP. 
  7. AMX (SVSI) – Ensures smooth multicast and control data flow for AMX SVSI devices. 
  8. Extron (NAV) – Simplifies setup for Extron’s NAV Series AV-over-IP solutions. 
  9. Kramer (KDS Series) – Configures VLANs, IGMP Snooping, and QoS for Kramer’s KDS product line. 
  10. SMPTE ST 2110 – An essential profile in broadcast environments where uncompressed, high-bitrate video and audio must travel over IP with perfect timing. 

By simply selecting the relevant profile, integrators can be confident that the network is optimized for each protocol’s unique requirements—dramatically reducing troubleshooting and setup time.

Seamless Integration with Leading Brands 

Tascam is a leading manufacturer of Dante-enabled recording solutions, audio interfaces and mixers used in live production, broadcast, and studio environments. Dante streams often involve high channel counts, so network stability and low latency are essential. Netgear’s Dante preset ensures: 

  • Reliable Multicast Handling for large channel counts 
  • Appropriate QoS to prioritize real-time audio 
  • Optional VLAN Segmentation to keep Dante traffic organized and interference-free 

With PoE+ or Ultra PoE++ available in many 4250 models, certain Tascam devices and other Dante peripherals can be powered directly over Ethernet, streamlining cable runs. 

Pan Acoustics offers high-fidelity loudspeakers and amplifiers with built-in Dante and PoE. Running power and data over a single cable offers substantial installation benefits—particularly in houses of worship, conference halls, and live performance venues.  

The 4250’s Ultra 90 PoE++: 

  • Supplies up to 90W per port for power-hungry loudspeakers or Dante amps. 
  • Provides Real-Time PoE Monitoring through the intuitive GUI, so integrators can track wattage consumption and avoid overloading. 
  • Ensures Consistent, High-Quality Audio thanks to optimized QoS for time-sensitive signals. 

Adamson is renowned for its line arrays and large-scale live sound reinforcement systems that leverage AVB. Achieving perfect synchronization, particularly in massive events like concerts or festivals, is essential. The 4250’s AVB preset: 

  • Enables Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) features for extremely low-latency audio distribution. 
  • Configures VLANs and QoS specifically for AVB data, ensuring signals arrive in perfect sync. 
  • Scales with the show size, thanks to 10 Gb uplinks that can handle the data load for hundreds of channels across large venues. 

The dedicated Pro AV UI in the 4250 Series removes much of the complexity typically associated with managed switches. Key highlights include: 

  • Port Visualization – Quickly view active ports, PoE power draw, and protocol assignments. 
  • One-Click Presets – Apply Dante, AVB, NDI, and other profiles without diving into intricate CLI or enterprise menus. 
  • Real-Time Monitoring – Check bandwidth usage, PoE budgets, and multicast group counts at a glance. 
  • Advanced Features, Accessible – For those needing deeper configuration, the full suite of enterprise networking tools—like VLAN trunking, link aggregation, and spanning tree—remains under the hood. 

This combination of simplicity and depth makes AV 4250 switches equally appealing for both seasoned IT/network engineers and AV integrators just beginning to tackle networked audio and video. 

In an era where AV signals are rapidly transitioning to IP-based networks, the NetgearAV 4250 Series stands out as a foundational piece of hardware for integrators and system designers looking to deploy Tascam’s Dante workflows, Pan Acoustics’ PoE-powered loudspeakers, or Adamson’s live AVB line arrays. Offering a broad range of models, advanced PoE capabilities, preset protocol profiles, and an intuitive Pro AV GUI, the 4250 Series sets a new standard for ease of deployment and reliability. 

Whether you’re installing a single conference room or orchestrating a massive multi-venue event, the NetgearAV 4250 Series provides the scalability, performance, and user-friendly interface you need to keep your networked audio and video running flawlessly. By taking the complexity out of switch configuration, Netgear ensures every show, broadcast, or recording session looks and sounds its very best. Allowing you to focus on what matters most:  

Delivering an unforgettable AV experience. 

Find out more about CMI's Commercial Audio Solutions Here:

By Travis Taylor 

National Technical Sales & Systems Design

 

 

Related articles